The Cost of Running a Boat
One question we often get asked is “How much will it cost me to run my boat?” While some people worry that owning a boat is like throwing money into a hole in the ocean, a sensible approach to understanding and managing costs will keep them at a reasonable level. Just like owning a car, having a boat comes with running costs, and the key is to understand and manage them so they stay comfortably within your budget. This article provides a useful framework for doing just that. Rule of thumb It’s nice to get a simple answer to the cost question – If you want a simple answer, we would say budget between 6% and 10% of the purchase cost for annual running costs, excluding depreciation. This is an over-simplified answer but maybe it’s a good starting point. In a nutshell, if you can afford the purchase price, you can probably afford the running costs If you want a method of getting a fuller, more accurate answer, then read on… Categories of running costs Of course, you are interested in the level of costs. However, we recommend that you also categorise your costs by two criteria, which we call predictability and controllability. These are related but different; and this article looks at these two factors. Predictable costs are costs that you know with a reasonable degree of certainty in advance. For example, berthing costs are typically so much per metre, per year. You know the size of your boat and you can do the math, and so these costs are highly predictable. They are even predictable for several years in advance, as berthing costs are likely to rise only by about the rate of inflation. Many other costs fall into this “predictable” category, such as insurance costs etc. Some other costs may have only a medium degree of predictability. Fuel costs per litre are one example. They may certainly rise or fall, but are unlikely to halve overnight. Controllable costs are unsurprisingly, costs that you can control yourself. Total annual fuel costs are a good example of this. You can get them down to zero by not going out in your boat; although this is not an approach we would recommend. The nautical miles you travel and the speed you go at (and hence fuel consumption) are all fully controllable by you. Their predictability depends on how certain you are about how far you will travel in the coming year. Therefore, in the table below, they are shown in each of High, Medium and Low Predictability. On the other hand, your annual berthing costs have, at best, medium controllability. Given the size of your boat, the marina will charge you their rate, and there is not much you can do about it if you want to stay at that marina. Telling fibs to the marina about the size of your boat doesn’t work. They know the size of most boats – sorry folks! However, you do have some control, as you could move to a cheaper marina, change to a mooring instead of a berth or even move to a trailer. Some marinas even offer a park and ride system, whereby boats up to a certain size are dry-stacked out of the water – this is typically at a much lower cost than a traditional berth. If you think about your costs in this way – predictability and controllability – you will have greater understanding of how costs could behave, and therefore be able to much more easily manage your budget. The numbers Of course, you now need to know the specific numbers to attach to the various costs. These are so variable as it depends very much on the type of boat. For example, a superyacht probably has crew recruitment, selection, retention, salary, and various on-costs to take into account. For the typical boater, this is not an issue – other than the need to supply the occasional G+T to willing volunteers who assist with berthing and other crewing activities. At Go Earth Boating we can help you draw up a realistic budget for running cost for any proposed boat. Specific costs Be aware that certain types of boating have specific costs associated with them. In particular boating on a canal or river typically requires an annual license and a Boat Safety Certificate every four years. Also, steel hulled boats require blacking; and fibreglass boats require anti-fouling if kept in the water. Sailing yachts have rigging costs that do not apply to powerboats. These rigging costs depend in part on how energetically the yacht has been used and the stresses on the mast. Defraying costs There is another way in which you can reduce costs even more. At the high end, for a superyacht, you can charter your boat out. There are many agents that will manage this process for you. Go Earth Boating can recommend suitable managing agents and give you an estimate of the possible income. Indeed, if you charter the yacht out a lot, you can even cover all your running costs; and still give yourself plenty of time on the boat. However, all is not lost if your boat does not qualify for the title of ‘superyacht’. You can rent your boat out via agencies such as Beds on Board and AirBnB. The deal here is that people stay on the boat as an alternative experience to a hotel; but do not take the boat out. The boat stays in the berth. Our company boat, a Jeanneau Prestige 34, is on both these sites and is a very popular choice. Go Earth Boating can advise you on the pros and cons of this option if you are thinking of buying and then defraying the running costs in this way. Conclusion Boats do have running costs – but they are in essence no different from the costs of running a car and with a bit of common sense are easily manageable. For any additional questions, contact Go
5 Myths About Buying a Boat
Myth 1: Boats Are Only for the Super Wealthy Boats aren’t just for billionaires. While superyachts can cost millions, there are boats available for a few thousand pounds, especially in the second-hand market. From modest dayboats to luxury catamarans, there’s something for every budget. Thanks to flexible marine finance options and a wide variety of models, boating is much more accessible than many people think. The key is to buy wisely, just like with any other major asset. Myth 2: You Must Pay the Full Price Upfront You don’t need to pay 100% in cash to own a boat. Marine finance providers offer loans with flexible deposits and repayment plans, often up to 10 years, with competitive interest rates.Most lenders will expect a decent deposit (typically around 30%) and a stable income. If you have seasonal income, you can choose a lender who understands and accommodates this. Myth 3: Bigger Boats Are Always Better It’s tempting to buy the biggest boat you can afford, but bigger doesn’t always mean better. The right boat depends on how you plan to use it.✅ Smaller boats are easier to handle, cheaper to maintain, and often surprisingly spacious.✅ Larger boats offer more luxury and room, but come with higher costs, more upkeep, and may require crew.The key trade-offs when buying a boat are size, age, and price. Myth 4: It’s Only Worth Owning a Boat in Hot Climates Boating isn’t just for the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. Many of the most active boating communities are actually in cooler countries like the UK and Scandinavia.British lakes, rivers, canals, and coastal waters offer fantastic boating experiences, often with fewer crowds. Modern boats are also built with better insulation, heating, and weather protection, making them comfortable year-round. Myth 5: Buying a Boat Is Easy Some people walk into a marina, fall in love with a boat, buy it—and then regret it. Why? Because buying a boat isn’t simple. It’s a big decision.Think of a boat as part house (bedrooms, kitchen, toilet), part car (engine, electrics, navigation), and part floating home exposed to the elements. There’s a lot to consider legally, technically, and financially.
How to Future-Proof Your Boat Purchase: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Buying a boat is a major investment. The wrong decision can cost you time, money, and long-term enjoyment. At Go Earth, we help you avoid the most common traps buyers fall into. 1. Not Understanding Your True Needs Many buyers are drawn in by flashy features or idealised ideas. But does that boat truly fit your lifestyle, mooring location, skill level, or long-term plans? Talk to Go Earth. We take the time to understand your needs, assess your lifestyle, and use our advanced search tools to find a boat that fits your real-world requirements. 2. Skipping the Deep Research A boat that looks perfect on paper can hide serious issues. Overlooked maintenance, mismatched specifications, and surprise costs are common problems. Let Go Earth do the due diligence. We uncover the full picture behind every listing so you can buy with clarity and confidence. 3. Overpaying Without Realising It Most buyers don’t have access to current market data or the experience to negotiate effectively. That can lead to paying far more than necessary. Put Go Earth in your corner. We negotiate directly with sellers to secure the lowest viable price and save you real money. 4. Trusting the Wrong Source Some sellers overmarket poor-quality boats, and many listings don’t reflect real value. Without expert guidance, it’s easy to be misled. Count on Go Earth to source independently. We are not boat dealers. We work solely for you to find the right vessel at the right value. 5. Underestimating the Ownership Experience Boat ownership comes with insurance, storage, and ongoing upkeep. Without the right support, the excitement can quickly turn into stress. Stay supported with Go Earth. We offer services before, during, and after your purchase to keep you ahead of the curve and out of trouble. We specialize in sourcing the right boat for any budget or location. Using our exclusive tools, we find what others miss. We negotiate on your behalf to secure the best price and help you enjoy the benefits of ownership without the common pitfalls. Avoid costly mistakes. Contact Go Earth today.
You Old Seadog
Dogs and Boating Wikipedia reliably informs us that ‘seadog’ can refer either to a sailor or a dog. Well, it occured to me that many of us have actual dogs, of all breeds, shapes and sizes that come out on our boats, so a few words about them might be helpful. Some dogs do genuinely love being out on a boat and take to it like a fish to water (if thats not mixing metaphors). Others are less sure or even nervous about the whole adventure. This article is intended to help dog owners acclimatise their dogs to the boating life. Let’s start at the beginning … Walkies Most dogs are happy to go to a marina, even they can sense the excitement. However, some dogs don’t like walking along the pontoons or on a linking bridge. This is not a good start, before you have even got onto the boat.. I have seen owners trying to pull their small, but apparently powerful dog by his lead along a pontoon. Even the offering of a tempting morsel of chicken would not get the dog to move. Often the issue can be quite simple, the dog is uncomfortable with the gaps between the wood on the pontoon, or the patterns of holes in plastic pontoons. Their claws can get painfully caught, especially in plastic ones. The solution is take it slow and steady. The first time you take your dog to a marina, have it walk just a few staps, and then get back on dry land. Reward its behaviour. Then try a little bit of a longer walk along the pontoon. Again use positive reinforcement so that the dog enjoys the whole experience. Smelly Toys and Beds Ok, let’s assume that you have now got the dog happily on your boat. He will be more comfortable if he has some of his toys and his usual bed on the boat. Don’t make the mistake of buying him a new bed for his boat – use his existing one, with it’s existing small. Yes, even if the smell is a bit strong – hopefully the sea air will take some of the pong away. Your Dogs First Boat Ride Get the dog used to the boat before you venture out on the water with him. Once he is happy with the boat, then he is far more likely to be happy going out on the water. Be gentle with your dog on his first trip out. The noise, the strange rocking of a boat can all be very worrying for some dogs. We suggest that your first ride out with your dog should be on a very calm day. Act naturally, and give your dog a treat ot two. What sometimes works with dogs is to take them out in a small dinghy (RIB) so that they can put their paws on the tubes and look around the marina. We know our own dog loves this. Note that dogs can actually get seasick, so watch out for signs of this. If the noise of the boats engine seems to be worrying your dog, then just slow down to a speed and noise that he is comfortable with. Over tie, you can get him used to faster speeds and noisiers engines. Also, ensure that your dog is hydrated and has enough water to drink for the journey. Safety First The RNLI quite correctly say of lifejackets “useless unless worn”. The same applies to dogs. Dogs should have a life-jacket of the correct size, and must wear it (despitetheir objections). Some dogs have a habit of jumping into water at the fi rst chance they get. Labradors are real experts at this (and also at drenching bystanders when they get out of thewater and shake their fur). Note that dog life jackets are really just floatation devices – they don’t automaticallyinflate if (or when!) your dog jumps in the water. What they should have is a grab handle on the back so that you can safely (and unceremoniously) lift your dog out of the water. If you really want to embarrass your dog, lift him out with a boathook under the grab handle!! Which Breed? Different breeds react differently to the water. Naturally nervous dogs may not like their time on the boat, being concerned about strange noises and motion. Other breeds will love it. If you are thinking of getting a dog to go with your boating, then there is a useful article on the suitability of a few breeds. Please remember though, that a dog is for life and has to fit in with all aspects of your life. Success Treat your dog right, and train him well, and he will come to regard your boat as part of his home – even to the extent of guarding it and barking at strangers. He will be happy on your boat and look forward to his boating adventures with you. However, you need to train him not to bark loudly in the middle of the night when he is guarding your boat against real or imaginary noises! Responsible Dog Ownership Of course, owning a dog brings responsibilities as well. The following tips may help: Take ‘your’ dogs for plenty of walkies – but ALWAYS on a lead in the marina. Consistently, encourage your dog to wait until you are in a dog-walking area before relieving himself. If ever there is an accident, please clear it up immediately. I suggest always having a few ‘poop bags’ with you. If there are some doggie waste bins in the marina, please do use them. If there is any residue left, please wash it away thoroughly with the nearest water tap. If your children take the dog for walkies, please emphasise to them the importance of following these tips. I hope that the above is helpful, and gives assurance to non-dog owners that the majority of dog owners areesponsible.